Planooknt ll co



F. G. HORNER.

TRACTOR SLED.

Arme/Tron men luLv ns. |911. nsnswsn nec. e. ma. l

F. G. HORNER.

. TBACTQB SLED.

APPLlcATloN man JULY 1a. |911. univ/ED nic. s. 191s.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

$0 SHEETS-SHEET 3- A TTURNEYS Tm! coumlm n nwalmwl CD.. WASHINGTON. D4 c.

f. G. Holman.Y

TRACTUR SLED. APPLCATIOM FILED JULY I3. ISI?. REVIEWED DEC. 8| IQIB.

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ATTORNEYS F. G. HORNER.

meros suo.

APPLICATION FILED JULY I8, |917- RENEWED DEC. 6, IBIS.

Patented Sept.

Zeillhl H m www@ IN1/Enron Fran/b G Jforn/er Afro/mers F. G. HURNER.

TRACTOR SLED.

APPLlcAnoN FILED uw la, 191i. nznrwED Dic. s. 191s.

Patinted Sept. 2, 1919.

l0 SHEETS-SHEET E.

WITNESSES Fra/wk G. Horn/07' .M ,Gf moeurs F. G. HRNER.

TRACTOR SLED. rrucmon mw :uw la. 19u,

RENEWED DEC. 6.1918.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

l0 SHEETS-SHEET I.

ll f l., ilml. .|ml!

:Nl/Enron Fra/nk 6. .lforwr manners WITNESSES THE COLUMBIA PLANcmnAPII co.. vlAsHlNarN. D. c.

F. G. HQRNER.

TRACTOR SLED.

APPLICATION msn IuLv Is. Isn. IIENEwED DEC. a. Isls.

Patented Sept. 2 1919.

i0 SHEETS-SHEET B.

mvswron Fra/n1', G. Jfornw' A TTORNEYS 'rus :ummm/I PLANouuAPII co.. wAsIuHo'roN. D. c.

F. G. HRNEH.

TRACTOR SLED. APPucAlon man luLv In. m1. aEnEwEn Dsc. 6.1913.

1 ,3 1 4,667 y Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

l0 SHEETS-SHEET l0.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK G. HORNER, F RUBY, TERRITORY 0F ALASKA.

TRACTOR-SIDED.

To all who/n 'it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK G. HonNnR, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Ruby, in the Territory of Alaska, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Tracter-Sleds, oi which the following is a specilication.

My invention relates to improvements in tractor sleds or toboggans, and it consists in the combinations, constructions, and an rangements herein deeeribed and claimed.

An object of my invention 'is to provide a tractor for breaking trails in snow, and it is primarily designed for use in northern countriesl where a large part ot the traflic is carried ou in winter over trails made in the snow.

A further object of my invention is to provide a motor sled or toboggan which is capable of having its center of gravity changed Without the necessity of the driver of the sled getting out of the machine or Without adding any extra Weight.

A further object of my invention is to provide a tractor having an endless web by means of which the device is driven; the parte being so a1 ranged that a maximum tractive effect is secured with a comparatively light medium.

A further object ot' my invention is to provide novel means for steering the tractor; which is capable of adjiiistment to meet different conditions.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel YFeatures of tlieinvention Will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the aeeompanying drawings, forming a. part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 isl a side view of the rear portion of the tractor;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the front portion;

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the rear portion;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the front portion;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the position of the machine. when traveling through loose snow;

Fig. is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing the machine traveling on packed snow;

Fig. 7 iS a View similar to Figs. 5 and 6, showing the machine traveling on a set trail or on ice;

Fig. S is a section along the line 8-8 ot Fig. 3;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

serial No. 265,644.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged section along the line of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is i a Sertion along the line 12-12 of Flg.

Fig. 13 is a section along the line 13-13 of Fig. 8;.

Fig. let 1s a section along the line 1-1--1-l ef Flg. 13.

Flg. 14 is a section similar to Fig. 14. on the opposite side of` the tractor;

Fig. 15 is a section along the line 15M-11 ot F1g. 14;

F 1g. 1G 1s a section along the line 16-16 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a portion of the selector shaft;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a Section of one of the toboggan adjusting gears;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged section along the line 19--19 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 20 -is an enlarged section line 20-20 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged section line 21-21 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 22 is a perspective *view of a portion of the endless web;

Fig. 23 is an enlarged section on the line 23-23 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is an enlarged section on the line 24-24 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 25 is an enlarged section on the line 25-25 of Fig. 3, showing the selector shaft in one position;

Fig. 26 is a .similar view showing the selector shaft in another position;

Fig. 27 is a section along the line 27-27 of Fig. 25;

Fig. 28 is a diagrammatical sectional view showing the Selector shaft :in position to actuate the guide wheel adjustment;

Fig. 29 is a. Similar view of the selector shaft in position to' aetnate the adjustment of the front end of the toboggan;

Fig. 30 is a similar view showing the selector Shaft locked;

Fig. 31 is an enlarged section on the line 31-31 0f Fig 4;

Fig. 32 is an enlarged section along the line 32-32 of Fig. 31;

Fig. 33 is a Section part of the adjusting in Fig. 31;

along tb e along the through the upper mechanism shown Fig. 34 is a section along the line 34--34 oi' Fig. 32;

Fig. 35 is a section through the gasolenc reservoir;

Fig. 36 is a side View shown'ig the pipes associated with the gasolenc reservo-irs;

Fi` l'. 37 is u section along' thc line E37-37 of Fig. 36; l

Fig'. 38 is a section along the line 38'38 of Fig. 375

Fi 39 is a section along the line 39 of Fig. 37 g I Fig. 40 is a section substantially similar to Fig. 38, but showing the Valve in a different position;

Fig. 41 is a perspective view of the valve disk shown in Fig. 39.

Fig. 42 is a side view ot a portion of a modified form of one of the drums, portions beingl broken away und in `section for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 43 is an enlarged section :i long the line #i3-M43 of Fig. 42;

Fig. 44 is a section tlirough a portion ot the rear drum and tubes shown in Fig. 42:

Fig. 45 is a section through the front drum showing the valve end of the tube.

In carrying out my invention I provide a main frame consisting of upper longitudinal members 1 which are preferably made of'channel iron, these mem ers being bent at their forward ends, as shown at 1", and being secured to the steering post 2. Disposed underneath the longitudinal frame members 1 are frame members 3 also made of channel iron, these members being bent forwardly as shown at 3". in Fig. 2, and forwardly. being Iattached to the steering post 2 at a point, immediately beneath the point of attachment of the upper frame members 1. The lower trame members are also curved inwardly and lie just beneath the upper members.

Secured to the upper longitudinal members 1 are transverse brace membersLone'ot these members being shown at 4 toward the front of the machine, and the other member being shown at 5 toward the rear. At the intersection of the brace members 4 and 5 with. the longitudinal frame members 1, are disposed triangular plates 6, sec Figs. 14 and 14, these plates being flanged as shown in Fig.`13. The plates constitute corner braces and also means for supporting the to gan pro er.

Refing partiiiularly to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, it will be seen thatV the motel-M for driving the device is v`disposed toward? the rear end of the machine. The steering wheel W and the operators seat S arealso located in the rear of the i'notor. The object is to Weight down the rear end of the device. The rear ends of the side traine members 3 are bent upwardly and extend rearwardly to a point past the s eat S. A platform is construct/ed in rear oi the scat so lul-nil. one may stand on the rear of the device to raise the front end in an emergency. ',l`hc rear end is benl` upwardly so as to provide room for the rcar end ol the device to swing down` wardly when the vlront und is raised, as for instance in crossing a. valley, creek-bed, or draw At 7 in Fig. 1 1 have shown a coupling or clcvis by moans ol'I which the trailers are drawn.

A sheet metal bottoni 8 is secured to the lower portion o" the members 3 at the rear edge of the seat and extends forwardly and underneath the rear ends of the side inembers 8 to a point marked X in Fig. l. The sheet metal here is bent back upon itselt' and extends upwardly in a curvo, which is substantially concentricy with the axis of the tractor wheel, being joined at Y to the covering 9 which extends over thc tolfioggan. 'lhe edge at X serres the purpose Yol a scraper should chunks ot snow collect on thc drive Wheel.

Referring now particularly to Figs. l, 2, i), and 10, it will be seen that l have prov"ided journal boxes 10 which are braced by upper springs 11 and by lower springs 12, these journal boxes being slidable vertically between the uprights 13 which are connected between the upper and lower frame mcm bers 1 and 3 respectively. The axle 14 bears a rear drum 1.5, the ends of the drum being provided with extensions haring teeth 1G for use on hard packed trails or ice, as will he explained later. The drum 15 is pro vided on its exterior with a layer of sponge rubber 17, and this in turn has a layer of tire rubber 18. The endless web 19 passes over the drum and bears o-n the tire rubber layer 18.

in Fig. 20 I have shown the Jfront drum. It has a journal 20 which is slidable in a horizontal direction on guides 21 and is normally pressed on by springs 22. The axle 23 supports the drum 24 which. also hasta layer 25 of sponge rubber under the outside Vlayer 26 of tire rubber, over which the web 19 runs. The Web 19 is an endless Web, kept taut by means of the springs 22. The rear drinn 15 is provided With an integral sprocket Wheel 27 over which a sprocket chain 2S runs. The sprocket chain in turn passes over a sprocket 29 on the sha-tt 30 which is driven by the moto-r M. It will be understood, as shown in Fig. 3, that there are two of these sprocket Wheels 27 and two sprocket'wheels 28, one on each side of the device.

The toboggan comprises n. board 30- which may be sheathed on the bottom with a metal sheet 31. This sheet 31 is turned up at the sides as shown at 31x in Figs. 13 and 19. It is also turned up at the rear as shown at 31y in Figs. 8 and 35, and at thc front as shown at 31z in Fig. A series of cross strips or Sli battons 82 is provided upon which is mounted a gasolene tank 33.

Referring more particularly toFigs. 18, 15, and 11), it will he seen that each of the braces 6, which has been. mentioned hereto fore, has an opening in which the head 84 of the screw shaft extends. As Willibe seen from Fig. 15, the head has a lower portion which vfits up against a concave Washer 36 just underneath the surface of the brace member 6. Above this surface is another concave washer 37 while a lock nut 38 is provided. The end of the shaft is squared, as shown at 35", and upon the squared end is disposed a worm wheel 39 carried in a casing 40 which also lio-uses a worm 41 which is provided with a centra-i bore which is on the end o-f a transverse shafl 12. This transverse shaft extends across the machine and is provided with another worm 1 1 arranged to engage a worm :19 which is of the same construction and is designed to operate a screw shaft 85 precisely similar to that already described.

lt will be observed that the shaft 12 is squared at both ends, as shown in Figs. 11 and 16 at 41X and 411 respectively, and that the squared end is extended in Fig. 16. This is for the purpose of ease in assembling the device, since the shaft may be pushed through one of the worms 41 until it can enter the inner end of the other worm, when it may be moved into the position shown in the drawings.

In Fig. 11 I have shown a grear 13 arranged to engage a gear 44 at the end of the sleeve 15. This sleeve is mounted in bearings 46. The bearings 46 have a portion which enters an annular groove 47, see Fig. 16, in the sleeve to revent the endwise movenient of the sleeve Ent to permit the rotation of the sleeve. The sleeve is provided with a central bore 48 and with radially extending slots A'19 communicating therewith. These slots are arranged to receive radially extending lugs 50. see Fig. 17, on the selector shaft 51. The selector shaft 51 passes rearwardly and enters a sleeve 52 carried by and rotatable in a bracket 53 secured to the upper longitudinal member 1. The portion of the shaft 51 within the sleeve is squared so as to move longitudinally with respect to the sleeve but to rotate when the sleeve is roiated.

The end of the sleeve 52 bears a bevel gear 54 which is in mesh with a gear 55 on a shaft 56 carried in a easingr 57 see Fig. 25. The shaft 56 bears a handle 56x by means of which the gear 55 is rotated, thereby turning the selector shaft.

Surrounding the selector shaft is a sleeve 58 having a portion 581l which corresponds with an enlarged portion 51x of the selector shaft. A spring 59 is disposed 0n one side of the enlarged portion 51x Within the sleeve 58 and bears at one end on a cap 60, the opposite end bearing on a. washer 61 disposed adjacent to the enlargement or collar 51X. A similar spring 62 bears on a cap at 68 at the opposite end of the sleeve and on a washer 64 adjacent to the collar or enlarge` ment 51x. A handle 65 is provided by means of which the sleeve may he forced forwardly against the tension of the spring 62 or rearivardly against the tension of the spring 59. A locking plate 66 is secured to the frame member 1 and is provided with slots 67 ar ranged to receive a portion of the handle so as to retain the selector shaft in its shifted position. y

It will be seen that when the handle 65 is moved forwardly, 1.'. e., to the right in Fig. 25, it will move the sleeve 58 forwardly. As will be seen from Figs. 28, 29 and 250, the selector .shaft 51 is mounted to slide in hearings 68, the front end of the selector shaft being disposed in a sleeve V. ln Fig. 2s the end of the selector shaft 51 is shown as being at some distance from the squared end 69 of a flexible transmission 70, while in Fig. 30 the shaft 51 is shown close up to the end 69. This represents the amount of movement which the selector shaft may take when the handle 65, see Fig. 25, is moved from the first slot in the locking plate 66 to the last one. The selector shaft passes through a sleeve 45X which is similar to the sleeve 45 and which bears a gear 44x.

The shaft 51 bears lugs 50x which are ar` ranged to enter slots 49X of the sleeve 15x, while this shaft also bears lugs y arranged to enter slots 49V in the sleeve 15V. It will be observed that there are four positions of the selector shaft, three of which are illustrated in Figs. 28. 29 and 30. That illustrated in Fig. 28 shows the lugs 50 and 50* cle-.tr of the sleeves '-15 and 45x while the lugs 50y are in engagement with the slots in the sleeve 45Y, so that by turning the han dle 56x the shaft 51 is rotated and hence the sleeve L5Y.

In Fig. 29, the lugs 50 are still out of en` gagement with the sleeve 115, the lugs 50x are in engagement with the slots iii the sleeve 45", while the lugs 50Y within the sleeve 45Y have passed to a position where there is an enlargement 71y in which the lugs turn idly. This will connect the sleeve 45X to the selector shaft. When the shaft is moved to its third position, it will be obvious that the lugs 50 will be in engagement with the sleeve 45 while the lugs 5()x and 50lr respectively will be in registration with enlarged recesses 71x and 71Y, resper tively, thereby locking the sleeve 45 to the selector shaft 51, and tu'rning it when theI latter is rotated. This condition is not shown in the drawings, Figs. 28 and 29 beingr sufficient to illustrate the operation of the device.

The fourth position is the neutral position in which the sleeves 4V), 45 and 45)' are Vall locked to the shaft 51. Thisfis the normal ruiming condition.

As will be seen from Figs. 3 and 4, there are two transverse shafts, a rear one which is shown at 42, and which has already been described, and a front one al' 42X. The front shaft is precisely similar 1-0 the rear one, and the means for turning the screw 35 is duplicated at. the ends of the cross shaft 1.12 in turning the screw Which corresponds with the screw 35,

A comparison of Figs. 13 and 19,*horvever, will show that the means of suspension of the rear and the front of the'toboggan is different. In Fig. 13 I have shown a plate 74 which is cnt away to support the gasolene tank 33. Brackets 75 secured to the plate 7l carry a pin 7G to which the lower end of a sleeve 77 is pirotally secured. "lhe interior of this sleeve T7 is threaded to receive the screw 35. It will be amiarent that when th(l screw 35 is turned the toboggan will lie raised or lowered. depending upon the direc tion of rotation.

0n the opposite side of the tank there is a similar,construction for suspending thercar end of the toboggan, andfor raising it and for lowering it.

As has been before explained, the shaft 42 which controls the means for raising or lowi ering the rear end of the toboggan isactuated through the rotation of the sleeve 45. Similarly the Sleeve 45, when rotated, will accomplish the rotation of the shaft 42X. and this will raise or lower'the front end of the toboggan. In Fig. 19 'I have shown the pin 76X as being disposed in brackets 75". The pin 76x forms a connecting means between the front end of the toboggan and the frame. To this end, the upper and lower frame members 1 and 2 respectively areprovided with a vertically extending strut 78 to which a plate 79 is secured. The lower portion of this plate is also secured to the member 3. The Plate 7 9 is provided with a vertical slot 80 through Which the pin 7 6x passes, andby means of which the verticalaadjustment of the toboggan is eifected. A brace member 81 is secured to the inner side of'the franic 31". The opposite side ofthe toboggan is suspended in the same Way, and is attached to themain frame in .a simil-ar manner to that already described.

The tank 33V is held in position by a piece of Sheet metal 82, which `is secured to the` upper edges of the sides 31x, see F1g.'13, and which is in close contact with the gasolene tank. This forms infact a cover for the cntire toboggan. It isprovided with openings 83 through which the sleeves 77 extend, shields 84 of iiexible material, such as I leather, being provided, which engage `the upper ends of the sleeves so as to prevent. snow from entering` rmdelfneatli the metal sheet 82.

Referring nowparlicularly to Figs. 2, to 30 inclusive, and 31., it will be seen thai the flexible shaft 7 0 extends through a housing tube 85 which is carried by an upwardly inclined brace member 8G secured to the top ofthe steering-post 2. All the end of the tlcxible shaft 70 is secured a bevel gear 8T, see Fig. 33, arranged to engage a be'velgear` not Ishown, on the shaft 88 of a worm Si) `which is in mesh with a Worm wheel* carn ried in the housing 91. This housing 0l also forms a -casingfor the worm. The gear 90 islxedf to a screw shaft 92 which extends into a threaded sleeve 93. The sleeve has fixed toy it a collar 94, While surrounding the sleeveand loosely slidablc thereon is a larger collar er plate 9D. At the opposite end oi the sleeve is a pin 90 which enters the sleeve and which is securely fastened in place io the Sleeve, the end of the pin being threaded and being provided willi a nut. 97. A nier able plate or collar 98 surrr'nnidsl the pin and is slidable with respect tothe latter. Screw bolts 99 pass -looselythrough the openings in both of the coliarseatfplatcsQ `and 98, nuts 11002being'taste-.nedA to the ends 0f the bolts.

*Secured to=the 4screw bolts between the collarsl or plates and l98 is a ring 101, see Fig. 34, this ring being threaded toreeeive the threaded-portions of the screw bolts 90, the ring having trunnions 10Q which are seeured to arms 103pivoted at 104430 the bottoni of the steering rod 105. This steering rod 105 is disposed Within the steering post 2, see Fig. 31. The opposite end of the arms .'103 Vsupport the axle 106 of the steerinsl Wheel 107. In order to brace the device seeurely, I provide a U-shaped brace ineniber 108 which is made of channel iron, and which extends across the top of the Wheel 107. The steering rod 105 is held by means of a nut 105, seeFig. 31, andE the lower end ihas a thrust bearin .105Y.

From the descri tlon itWi1l be seen that Whenthe shaft 70 isturne'd, the screw shaft 92 -will be turned, and this Will cause the movement ofthe arms 103fi-n their trunnions 104, so as to raise or lower' the steering-Wheel 1:07, depending uponthedirection in-Which theshaft 70 is turned. =It will alsobe apparent that, When the steering Wheel encounters an obstruction which tends to raise lit, the ring 101, and hence the screw bolts 99, will be forced downwardly, moving the plate 95 downwardly and compressing the spring ltlagainsttfhelower late 98. When the Wheel 107 oes down, t enithering Will be forced in ft e opposite direction, and will more the plate 98 upwardly and compress the sprin'g'109' against the plate 95. It will thus be seen that the spring 109 acts as a Vother three grooves have no suc buil'er or cushion for the shocks and jars of the Wheel 107, while at the same time the wheel may be raised or lowered from the drivers seat in the manner described, without at all iiiterfering with this spring or cushioning eifect.

l1, is o1 prime importance that the center o l' gravity o'l the device be changed to meet dilcroni conditions vrihout getting out of the machine, and without adding extra weight. This is done hy shifting the gasolone from one end of the tank 38 to the other. In Fig. 35 I have shown the tank as being divided into a rear compartment A, a center compartment B, and a front compartment C. The center compartment is for compressed air, while the end compartments are for gasolene. It will be observed that there is a pipe 110 which extends from the lower part of compartment A, thence forwardly and upwardly, and terminates near the top of the compartment C. Another pipe 111 extends from the lower part of compartment (I rearwardly and then upwardly, and terminates near the upper part of compartment A. These are the pipes by means of which transfer' of gasolene from one compartment to the other is effected. The medium for moving the liquid is compressed air.

In Fig. 3 the compressor is shown at 112. A pipe 113 extends forwardly to the side of the tank, thence downwardly, see Fig. 35, and by means of a pipe 114 which terminates at the top of the air chamber, compressed air is admitted to the compartment 1?, the pipe 114 being joined to the pipe 113 hy means of an elbow as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 35.

The carbureter 115 is connected to the pipe 116 with a valve casing 117, see Fi. 37. A tube 118, see Fig. 35, has disposed within it a flexible wire 119 which runs rearwardly and which connects with a lever 120, see Fig. 3, which is pivot/ed at 121 and which is provided with a locking segment 122.

On moving the lever 120 a valve stem 123, see Fig. 37, may be moved through the medium of a lever arm 124. This valve stem bears at its top a valve plate 125 which is normally held against its seat by means of a spring 126. The valve casing 117 is provided with an air inlet passage 127 which communicates with an air pipe 128. It is also provided with an exhaust passage 129 which communicates with an exhaust pipe 130.

The valve plate 125 is shown in detail in Fig. 41, as will be seen. It is provided with a series of grooves 1252*, 1251, 125, 1251 and 125". At the adjacent ends of grooves 125e and 1251 are openings 125f and 1.25g respectively which extend through the late. The openings.

The valve plate 125 is rotatable within the casing, so as to bring the grooves into or out ot registration with certaln passages in the body portion of the valve casing 117.

'lhe valve is so arranged that the carbureter is in comniunication at all times with the compartment which contains gasolene so as to permit the '['low of gasolene to the carburetor nnrestriciiul. To this end l provide the gasolenc pipes 110 and 111, the former communicating with the groove 125" and the latter with the groove 1251. These openings register with openings in the body portion of the valve 117, thrown in dotted lines in Fig. 37 and which communicate with the pipes 110 and 111 respectively. In Fig. 37 there is one of these openings 117x which communicates with the gasolene pipe 110.

In the neutral position of the valve, that is to say, when the pressure of the air is the same in the three compartments and when the gasolene will he drawn from either of the compartments which has the most gasolene in it, the openings 125f and 125g will he in registration with both of the openings or passages leading to the gasolene pipes 110 and 111. When, however, the valve is turned one of the pipes is shut oli, while the other remains in communication due to the presence of the grooves 125 and 125.

Let us assume that the gasolene is in the front tank and we wish to transfer it to the rear tank. The valve plate 125 is rotated so as to bring the groove 125d in registration with an opening 1171 of the valve oasing 117. This pern'nts the gasolene tank to ha ve ronnnunication with the rarbureter through the pipe 111, while the pipe 110 is shut off from connnuniration. At the same tinie air admitted through the pipe 114 to the pipe 128 whirh leads to the air passage 127. T he air passes downwardly into the groove 1251i, thence along the gro-ove and upwardly through the opening 117, thence through the pipe 131, see Figs. 35 and 36, and into the to of the chamber or compartment C. At tne same time the air in the compartment A passes into the pipe 132 thence into the passage 117b through the groove 125b through the opening 117X and hy the radially extending passage tothe outlet 129, and thence to the pipe 130, which leads to the whistle 131W, see Fig. 35.

The exhaust of the air from the compartment A sounds the whistle and this keeps on sounding as long as fluid is being transferred. lVhen, however, the Huid reaches the upper part of the pipe 132, it will choke the whistle and the sound will stop. The driver of the vehicle will then know that the transfer has been completed.

In order to transfer the liquid from the rear tank to the front tank, the valve is turned in the opposite direction, so that air is admitted under pressure into the rear tank, and is exhausted-trom the front tank. When the valve is in the position. shown in dotted lines in Fig. 38 (this being a sec* tion through the valve easing), both soul partnients A and C will be in eouununica tion with the pipe 1li), so that gusolene will be delivered from the tank which has the greater quantity, as stated before. It will 'be observed that the pipe 11u is provided with a check valve 110x, while the pipe 111 is providedwith a similar check valve lll". These check valves are necessary, since they prevent the air from being forced through the pipe when the air pressure is transferred from one chamber to another and cause the gasolene to 'be forced up through the other pipe and pastA its check valve. When both couipartufients are in ouunun-ication with the pipe 116, it is obvious that the one del live-ring gasolene to the carbureter has the greater head, or7 in other Words, the gaso lene venu-s from the compartment to the pipe 11G by the path of least resistance.

Frein the foregoing desrription oi' the various parts of the device, the operation thereof will be readily understood. Let us consider thaty the device is being used on freshlly fallen or loose snow, such as that shown in Fig. 5. The steering Wl1eel'107 is lowered by means of the handle 50x, the handle having been previously set in the slot-67 of the locking segment 66 which will lbring the selector shaft into the position shown in Fig. 28. Now, it may be that when the handle 65 is pushed forwardly to bring the clutch members Y into engagement with the sleeve 45% see Fig. 28, these clutch members may lbe in such position as to engage the end of the sleeve instead of entering the slots in the sleeve. It is for this reason that the sleeve 5S is provided, see Fig. 25. This sleeve will be moved by the handle 65, so that pressure will be eX- erted against the selector `shaft and the lock, on the lirst rotation, will come into posi tion to permit the entrance of the clutch members 5W in the Slots in the :sleeve 453', thereby effecting connection With the flexible shaft to permit turning of the screw Shaft 92 so as to lower the wheel 107.

The gasolene or other suitable liquid fuel is forced irrto the forward compartment C. An inspection of Fie. 5 will show how the weight is diaries-e5. n Win be .een una the greatest Weight is directly underneath the driving ydru-m 15 and that the pressure decreases toward the front so that the front drum 24 has verylitt-le pressure on it. The endless web 19jis presseddown through the loose snow andthe latter enter-s between the web and th'e toboggan. It will'be noted that at the` rear end o the toboggan the web is close to the-latter. The passage of'the web through the snow and the fact that the to boggan is pressing downwardly on the snow, tend to gi ve to tini web a grip or traction which it otherwi:-.e would not have. The snow is packed down the full width oi? the toboggan, and the power required to torce the device through the snow is less than it wuold be where the snow is pushed Abodily ahead ot' the device.

In breaking trails through the loose snow it is desirable to go over the trail a Second time betere the snow on thel trail has set The trail will ofcourse be packed to a certain extent, and will be. much more Capable of holding up the tractor.- In Fig.- 5 the device is shown in position to pass forwardly so as to cause the loose snow to be packed down, in other words, to ride over the loose snow. In Fig. (3 Irhave shown the device on the trail which has been broken, but which has not been allowed to Set 4ln this tigure the tucl is shifted from the front compartment to the rear compartment A. Furthermore, the wheel 107 is raised.

In Fig. 5 the gasolene was placed in the front compartment in order to have enough weight at the front of the device to cause the steering wheelflOf to take hold and be effective for steeringi purposes. In Fig. 6 the gasolene is shifted to the rear tank because it is desired 'to add weight in order to drive the rollerancl compress the trail and pack it much more closely. The faetthat the tra-il is partly packed does not necessitate the weight in the front` of the machine that it does in traveling through loose snow.

After passing over the trail a second time it is allowed to set for a few hours and is then hard enough to support dog teams or other means or other ordinary means of traie in northern countries.

In Fig. 7 I have shown the position of the parts when the device is used on a packed trail or on ice. In this position it wiil' Work as a tractor to drawrloaded sleds or similar devices. It will be observed that'the steeriup;A Wheel 10iI is raised and 'that the tobbb gan israised at the rear `and at-the, fron-t, while the web 19 rests on the surfaceof-the ice. It is desirabte'to have the tractor `as light as possible in order that it ma be easy to steer it and at the same time a ord an ellieient means for ftractive purposes. The weight will bepraetically carried ton the rear drum and on the front steering Wheel, makingrit easy to steer.

In order to be able to adjust the tensionroff the springs 22Which bear on the slidable journal so as to keep the web in a taut condition, I provide a slidable head 22h upon which these springs bear. Bolts 22b are provided at each end otthe head 22", these bolts beingy provided with' squareheafds 2 2". The bolts are provided With'nuts-QZn which* bear against the head 22" and which cause the latter to move forwardly when the heads 22 are turned.

The steering wheel W has a drum w around which is wound a cable lw. This cable extends over pulleys in the upper side frame members 1 and thence forwardly in the channel, thence inwardly to arms 2X secured to the steering rod 105.

l have provided means whereby the adjustment of the rear end, or the adjustment of the front end, or the adjustment of the steering wheel may be accomplished independently of the selector shaft. Thus, in case the selector shaft should be broken, I may apply the handle te the squared ends, such as that shown at 41 in Fig. 14, having first moved the clutch member of the selector shaft to engage the clutch member for driving the particular cross shaft, such as that shown at 42. New, by means of the handle, the adjustment may be effected. The handle. is used for any oi' the adjustments mentioned above.

I have referred to the web 19 as being the main traction member. I desire to call special attention to the manner in which this web 19 is constructed. It consists of a series of longitudinal cables made of the best steel, these cables being shown at 19, which are joined by means of diagonal brace cables 191. These bracing cables consist of a single strand of twisted Wires as shown in Fig. 23, While the cables 19L are com osed of a plurality of strands, six strands eing shown in Fig. 23 with a hemp center. The cables 19a are fiexible so as to pass easily around the drums, while the cables 19b are stili' but will bend and will spring into position again when the tension or strain is released, thus keeping the web substantially in its fiat form as soon as it has assed around the drum. The bracing cab es 19b are secured to the longitudinal cables 19 by means of clamps such as those shown at 19c in Fig. 23. These clamps are in reality loops of metal which are bent around the cables 19a and 19b in the manner shown and which are held in place by means of securing devices such as rivets 19". This gives a flexible Web which at the same time is so placed as to retain its shape under severe lateral strains. It will be observed that the rivets 19Ll are so disposed as to prevent any slippingr of the brace members 19l with respect to the longitudinal cables 19.

The device described thus far is used primarily in temperatures that do not tall below thirty degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

1When this is exceeded, however, I find that the snow has a tendency to become crushed in such a Way that it Will adhere in line articles to the surface of the drum and gra ually build up an icy coating on the outside of the drum which. if not removed, will cause the stretching or breaking of the web due to the enlargement of the drum. if, however, the surface of the drum is soft so as to move under load then this ice coating is not formed, because the particles of ice will break under `such movement and will fall oil.

In order to make a drum having a suriare which is relatively soft at a low temperature I provide a construction like that shown in Fig. 41:2. YIn this figure the surface o1 the drum is corrugated as shown at 15, these eorrugations being parallel with one another and also to the longitudinal axis of the drum. 0n the outside of the drum and spaced from the corrugated part is a resilient covering 15t which is preferably made ot a fabric with enough rubber to hold it together. This outer' covering lot is also corrugated or provided with grooves vfacing those on vthe drum and arranged to'register with them. Disposed in the space between the drum and the covering 15t is a series of pneumatic tubes 15S, these tubes being' held in the grooves and each tube being separate and independent of any of the other tubes. Each tube is provided with a valve 15v Whose stem extends through the end of the tube 15S, a screw cap 15m being provided which binds the valve to the end of the tube and which also serves as a bu'er to prevent injury of the tube by the side of the drum 15. As will be seen from Fig. 42 au opening 15 is provided in the side et' the drum 15, and in this opening is disposed a second screw cap 15W. The valve is disposed eoncentrically with respect to the opening 15O so that when the tube is coinpressed the valve will have room to play. Each of the tubes is closed at the end opposite the valve.

In Fig. 14 I have shown the rear drum provided with tubes like that shown at 15S. In Fig. Ll5 the drum is shown with similar tubes 15s.

The operation of this form of the device is as follows:-

The tubes 15S are pumped up to the desired pressure and this keeps the covering 15t spaced. from the drum. The fact that the covering as well as the drum is corrugated and that the tubes fit into these corrugations keeps the covering from rotating with respect te the drum. Now when the snow is powered and tends to adhere to the surface of the drum, the movement of this surface will crack and break up the brittle snow or ice covering, thus keeping the drum free from the accumulation of ice.

1f one of the tubes 15s should be unctured it will not affect the remaining tu es which willstill retain their resiliency and will be maintained in the same relative position.

I claim:-

l. A tractor sled. comprising a frame, a pair ol- `driiins rotatably disposed in the frame, an endless tractor belt arranged to riin Ion said driiins, and a toboggan disposed between the drains, said toboggan bei ng eari'ied b-y said frame.

A tractor sled comprising a l'raine, a pair ol drains rotatably disposed in the l'rnnie, an endless tractor belt arranged to riin on said drums, a toboggan disposed between Etht drums, said toboggan being carried by -said frame, and means for adjusting the position of the toboggan with respect to the frame.

A Itractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of drums rotatably disposed in the frame, an endless tractor belt arranged to rim on said drums, a toboggan suspended from said frame and disposed between the drums. and means for raising and lowering the front end of the toboggan.

4. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of driiins carried by the traine, an endless tractor belt arranged to travel over the driiins, a fuel tank disposed between the drums, said tank haring a plurality of compartments, and means for shifting the fuel from one compartment to the other to change the center of gravity of the device.

5. A tractor sled vcomprising a frame, a

pair of drums rotatably disposed in the frame, an endless tractor belt arranged to run on said drums, a toboggan suspended from said frame and disposed between the drums, :ind means for raising and lowering the rear end of the toboggan.

6. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of drums rotatably mounted in the frame, each of said drums being provided with resilient surfaces, a toboggan suspended from the frame between the drums, and a web arranged to run over the drums and underneath the tobo gan.

7. A tractor sie comprising a frame, means for supporting the frame on the snow, means for propelling `the sled, a fuel tank carried by the supporting means, and pneumatic means o erated from the drivers seat for shifting t e osition of the fuel in said tank to changel e center of gravity of the sled at will.

8. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of drums rotatably mounted in the frame, a resilient covering for each of said drums, a series of independent pneumatic tubes disposed between the covering and the periphery7 of the drum, and a toboggan suspended from the frame between the drums.

9. In a tractor sled, a frame, a rear drum rotatably mounted in the frame, a front drum rotatably mounted in the frame, an endless 4flexible band dis osed about said drun 1 ssaid band being o ,a width equal to the length of the drains, a steering wheel disposed in advance of the front drinn, a seat disposed in the rear of `the rear drinn, and .ine-ans for raising and lowering said steering wheel from the drivers seat.

l0. A motor sled coniprisiiig a frame, a rear drinn and a front drinn rotatably mounted on said frame, an endless band disposed on said drums, said band comprising a web having relatively large meshes, and a toboggan secured io the frame` at its ironi end and disposed above the web.

11. A motor sled comprising a frame, a rear drum and a front drinn rotatably mounted on said iframe, an endless band disposed on said drums, said band comprising a web having relatively large meshes, a toboggan secured to the frame at its front end and disposed above the web, and means Yfor raising or lowering thc front end of the to boggan.

l2. A motor sled comprising a frame, a rear drinn and a front drinn rotatably inoiintcd on said traine, :iii endless hand dis posed on said drums, said band comprising a web having relatively large meshes, a tobofrgan secured to the frame at its lroni.

raising or lowering the front end of the toboggan, and additional means for raising or lowering `the rear .end of the toboggan.

13. A motor sled lciiliilprising a frame, a rear drum and a front drinn rotatably mounted on said frame, an endless band disposed on said drums, said band comprising a web having relatively large meshes, a toboggan secured to the yframe at its front end and dis osed above the web, means for rais` ing or owering the front end of the tobog gan, additional means for raising or lower ing the rear end of the toboggan, a fuel tank carried by said toboggan, and means for shifting the fuel yi'rorn one portion of the tank to another to change the center of gravity of the ,device at will.

le. In a motor tractor, a frame, a toboggan carried by the frame, a pair of drums rotatably mounted on the frame, an endless belt arr ged to travel around the drums, said to oggan being disposed above the lower portion of the belt, a fuel tank having a'plurality of compartments, said fuel tank being disposed on the toboggan, and means for shifting the fuel from one compartment to another to change the center oi gravity of the device.

175. In a motor tractor, a frame, a toboggan carried by the frame, a pair of drums retatably mounted on the frame, an endless belt arranged to travel around the drums, said toboggan being dis osedl above the lower. ortion of tbebelt, a nel tank having a lur l ty of compartments, said fuel tank being 'Sposed on the toboggan, and pneumatic and disposed abo-ve the web, means for mechanism for shifting the fuel from one compartment to another to change the center of gravity of the device.

16. ln a motor tractor, a frame, a toboggan carried by the frame, a pair of drums rotatably mounted on the frame, an endless belt arranglged to travel around the drums. said toboggan being disposed above the lower portion of the belt, a fuel tank having a plurality of compartments, said fuel tank being disposed on the toboggan, and pneumatic mechanism controllable from the drivers seat for shifting the fuel from one compartment to another to change the center of gravity of the device at will.

17. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of drums rotatably disposed in the frame, an endless tractor belt arranged to run on said drums, a toboggan disposed between the drums, adjustable means for suspending the front end of the toboggan from the frame, adjustable means for suspending the rear end of the toboggan from the frame, a steering wheel disposed in advance of the front drum, means for adjusting the height of the steering wheel, and common means for selectively actuating the rear adjusting means for the toboggan, the front adjusting means, and the steering wheel adj usting means at will.

18. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of drums rotatably disposed in the frame, an endless tractor belt arranged to run on said drums, a toboggan disposed between the drums, adjustable means for suspending the front end of the toboggan from the frame, adjustable means for suspending the rear end of the toboggan from the frame, a steering wheel disposed in advance of the front drum, means for adjusting the height of the steering wheel, common means selectively actuating the rear adjusting means for the toboggan, the front adjusting means, and the steering wheel adjusting means at will, a drivers seat disposed in rear of the rear drum, and means operable from the drivers seat for operating said selective means.

19. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of drums rotatably mounted in the frame, each of said drums being provided with resilient surfaces, a web arranged to run over said drums., and spring means for keepin the web taut.

20. tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of drums rotatably mounted in the frame, each of said drums being provided with resilient surfaces, a web arranged to run over said drums, spring means for keeping the web taut, and means for adjusting the tension of the springs.

21. In a tractor sled, a frame, a rear drum and a front drum rotatably mounted on said frame," an endless belt arranged to travel over said drums, said belt comprising a web of coarse mesh, each of said drums having a. layer of resilient material, and an outer layer of tire rubber.

22. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair oi drums rotatably mounted on said Jframe, an endless web arranged to run over said drums, a toboggan disposed between said drums above the lower portion of the web, means for :raising and lowering the front and rear ends of said toboggan, a steering wheel disposed in advance of the front drum, means for raising or lowering said steering wheel, and common means for actuating the raising or lowering means of the steering wheel, the front, and the rear of the toboggan, said means comprising a selector shaft, and means actuated by movement of the selector shaft for connecting the latter with the lselected raising or lowering means.

23. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of drums rotatably mounted on said frame, an endless web arranged to run over said drums, a toboggan disposed between said drums above the lower portion of the web, means for raising or lowering the front and rear ends of the said toboggan, a steering wheel disposed in advance of the front drum, means for raising or lowering said steering wheel, common means for actuating the raising or lowerin means of the steering wheel, the front, an the rear of the toboggan, said means comprising a selector shaft, and means actuated by movement of the selector shaft for connecting the latter with the selected raising and lowering means, said steering wheel shifting means also comprising a flexible shaft movable with the steering wheel and capable of transmitting rotary movement of the selector shaft to the steering wheel raising and lowering means.

24. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of drums rotatably mounted in the frame, one of said drums being a rear drum and serving as a main tractor, a tractor belt arranged to run over said drums, a toboggan suspended from the frame between said drums, separate means disposed at the rear end of the toboggan, at opposite sides thereof for raising or lowering the rear end, separate means disposed at the front end of the toboggan on opposite sides thereof for raising and lowering the front end, means for operating said rear end raising devices simultaneously and for operating the front end raising or lowering devices simultaneously.

25. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of drums rotatably mounted in the frame, each of said drums bein provided with resilient surfaces and a we arranged to run over said drums.

i lf) 26. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of drums rotatably mounted in the frame, a resilient covering for each ol said drums and a series ol indepemlent pneumatic tubes disposed between said covering and ille periphery of the drum.

27. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of drums rotatably mounted in the frame, a resilient covering for each of said drums and a series of independent pneumatic tubes disposed between said covering and the periphery of `the drum, said tubes being disposed in parallel relation lon itndinally with respect to the axis of t e drum.

28. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of drums rotatably mounted in the frame, each of said drums having a series of longitudinal corrugations on its periphery, a cylindrical llexible covering surrounding said drinn and spared from the latter, said coveringl being provided with a series of grooves corresponding to the grooves on the drum and facing said latter grooves, a series of pneumatic tubes disposed in the registering grooves between the covering and the drum, each of said pneumatic tubes having an independent air valve.

29. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of drums rotatably disposed in the frame, an endless tractor belt arranged to run on said drums, a toboggan disposed between the drums, adjustable means for suspending the front end of the toboggan from the frame, and adjustable means for suspending the rear end of the toboggan from the frame.

30. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of drums rotatably disposed in the frame, an endless tractor belt arranged to run on said drums, a toboggan disposed between the drums, adjustable means for suspending the front end of the toboggan from the frame, adjustable means for suspending the rear end of the toboggan from the frame, and a steering wheel disposed in advance of the front drum.

31. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a air of drums rotatably disposed in the rame, an endless tractor belt arranged to run on said drums, a tobo gan disposed between the drums, adjustabde means for suspending the front end of the toboggan from the frame, adjustable means for suspending the rear end of the toboggan from the frame, a steering wheel disposed in advance of the front drum,A and means for adjusting the height of the steering Wheel.

32. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of drums rotatably disposed in the rame, an endless tractor belt arranged to run on said drums, a toboggan disposed between tl'ie drums, adjustable means for suspending the front end ofthe toboggan from. rame, eachof sa-idtdvumsghanng aai-serias ofi the frame, adjustable means for suspending the rear end of the toboggan from the frame, a steering wbcel disposed in advance of the front drum, means for adjusting the height of the steering wheel, and common means for selectively actuating the rear adjusting means for the toboggan and the front adjusting means.

.33. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair o1' drums rotatably disposed 4in the frame, an endless tractor belt arranged to run on said drums, a toboggan disposed between the drums, adjustable means for suspending the front end of the toboggan from the l'rame, adjustable means for suspending the rear end of the toboggan from the frame, a steering wheel disposed in advance of the front drum, means for adjusting the height oi' the steering Wheel, and common means ior selectively actuating the rear adjusting means for the toboggan and the front adjusting nie-ans, simultaneously.

A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair oi drums rotatably disposed in the frame. an endless tractor belt arranged to run on said drums, a toboggan disposed between the drums, adjustable means for suspending the front end of the toboggan from the frame, adjustable means for suspending the rear end of the toboggan from the frame, a steering Wheel disposed in advance of the front drum, means for adjusting the height of the steering Wheel, and comino-n means for selectively actuating the rear adjusting means for the toboggan, the front adjusting means, and the steering Wheel adjusting means, at Will.

35. A tractor sled comprising a frame, a pair of drums rotatably mounted in the frame, a resilient covering for each of said drums, a series of independent pneumatic tubes disposed between the covering .and the periphery of the drum, a toboggan suspended from the frame between the drums, and a: web arranged to run overthe drums and underneath the toboggan.

36. A tractor sled comprisinga; frame, a air of drums rotatably mounted in.the rame, each of said drums having a serieszof longitudinal corrugations on its periphery, a cylindrical exible covering surroundinv said drums and spaced from the latter, sai covering being provided with a series of grooves corresponding to the grooves on the drums and faelng the latter grooves, a series of pneumatic tubes disposed in the registering groovesbetween the covering and the drum, each of'said pneumatic tubes having an independent aiI` valve, and a toboggan suspended from the said frame, for supporting the latter on the snow.

37. A tractor sled comprisingL a frame, a air of drums rotatably mounted in the 

